Great Wall of China Challenge

• 31 May-8 June 2008
• 11-19 October 2008

• What is the itinerary?

• I want to take part, what do I do next?

• Mariamne Briggs's Great Wall of China challenge diary

'You are not a man if you have not been to the Great Wall' – so the saying goes in China. Stretching for 6,000 kms (3726 miles), the Great Wall begins at Shanhaiguan and zigzags its way across China ending at the Jiayuguan Pass in the desert of Western China.

The Great Wall Challenge is a nine day event exploring and trekking this man made Wonder of the World.

You will take in the ‘hutongs’ – the back lanes of Beijing and Gonwangu Palace, see the many fascinating watch-towers and battlements and also trek the most beautiful section of the Wall to Simatai.

A day’s hiking to Shixiaguan enables you to actually ‘lend a hand’ repairing the Great Wall. A watchtower is being repaired, and the challenge will be to help carry the bricks from the bottom of the Wall to the top.

Once at the top, experts will be there to help you place your brick in the Wall.

As part of your Global Challenge you will get the opportunity to conquer the strenuous 1,000 steps at Mutinayu – not for the faint hearted!

As well as hiking the almighty Wall, you will also take part in an off road exploration of the spectacular Ming Tombs – the last resting place of the Ming Dynasty Emperors, including Ding Ling and Chang Ling.

Itinerary

Day 1

• Depart UK on overnight flight to Beijing.

Day 2

• Arrive Beijing and transfer to hotel.

• There will be lunch at a local restaurant, and then in the afternoon, a chance to acclimatise. We will be met by coach and guide to visit the 'hutongs'. The tour begins by rickshaw and explores the hutongs with their authentic courtyard houses. The visit finishes with Gongwangfu Palaces and a walk on Tian'anmen Square for orientation.

• Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Day 3 – trekking distance approx. 5km/3.1miles

• Depart from Beijing, eastwards to Huangyaguan. The drive will take approximately three hours, covering 100 km (62 miles)

• Check in to hotel located at the foot of the Great Wall.

• After lunch, re-board the coach and depart to Taipingzhai. Here a warm-up trek along the first section, which begins at Taipingzhai and returns along the Great Wall to Huangyaguan. (Duration three hours).

• Sections of the Great Wall at Huangya Pass require good negotiation and attention.

Day 4 – trekking distance approx. 7km/4.3 miles

• Depart Huangyaguan by coach for the Gubeikou Great Wall and climb to Jinshanling (approximately one hour and 45 minutes drive).

• Trek on the most beautiful section of the Great Wall and cover some 27 watch-towers over old brick-made steps. There are sections of renovated and original wall. (Duration approximately 5 and a half hours).

• When the break in the wall is reached, descend to the ground and walk to the next section. Ascend and trek to the 12 battlements. (Duration two hours).

Day 5 – trekking distance approx 10km/6 miles

• Re-board coach and depart for the climb from Jinshanling to Simatai and some of the most beautiful sections of the wall. (Duration approx. seven to eight hours).

Day 6 – trekking distance approx. 5km/3.1 miles

• Depart by coach for our most strenuous day yet at Mutinayu. (The drive takes approx. one and three quarters hours)

• Climb the awesome 1,000 steps and 20 battlements from the foot of the Great Wall to the top of the mountain. (Duration five hours, approximately two km distance).

• On the Mutinayu Great Wall, there are 20 battle towers, and the stretch of repaired wall here is three kms.
  Drive to hotel (approx. two hours).

Day 7

• Drive to the entrance of the partially reconstructed section of the Great Wall.

• Part of today is spent helping to repair the Great Wall. New bricks are carried up the 300 wooden steps to where a watchtower is being repaired. Trained staff will supervise and place the bricks on the Wall.

• We then transfer to the Juyongguan area of the Great Wall where we continue our trekking. This section is very steep in parts and offers a real challenge.

Day 8

• A free day to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Beijing and all it has to offer! In the evening we celebrate our achievements at our farewell presentation dinner.

Day 9

• After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight back to UK.

Please note that while we make every effort to stick to this schedule and the accommodation stated, this is subject to alteration.

This wonderful challenge aims to attract people with a reasonable level of fitness to participate in an exciting and memorable event. This experience will physically and mentally test you. It will give you a tremendous sense of achievement and at the same time benefit those people whose lives are affected by epilepsy.

The challenge requires a minimum sponsorship of £2,750, £1,650 of which goes directly to Epilepsy Action.

There is also a registration fee of £299 and an insurance fee of £45. If you would rather pay the registration fee in installments please call the fundraising department.

Three-quarters of the minimum sponsorship money is to be paid to Epilepsy Action 12 weeks before departure. The remaining quarter is due on return.

If you would like more information about this event please contact our fundraising department:

• by telephone on 0113 210 8800 (UK) or +44 (0)113 210 8800 (international), or

• by email to funding@epilepsy.org.uk

Organised by Global Adventures Challenges (ATOL 6506)

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